Naming ceremonies

A naming ceremony is an option for parents to celebrate and welcome a child into the family, usually inviting relations and friends to share in the occasion.

As a parent you make promises of commitment to your child as a way of saying that you will try to be as good a parent as possible.

Friends or relatives chosen by you can take part in the ceremony as 'Supporting Adults'. They pledge a special relationship with the child and grandparents can take part in the ceremony too.

You, as parents, decide the content of the ceremony, selecting declarations and promises as you go through the ceremony with the celebrant beforehand. This allows you to create a unique ceremony for your child and for yourselves.

Who are they for?

Children of any age can have a naming ceremony – they are not just for babies.

Any parent or anyone else who has legal guardianship of the child can arrange the ceremony. Please note that the child’s birth certificate will need to be shown before a ceremony can be booked.

Parents do not need to be married to organise a naming ceremony.

Who conducts naming ceremonies?

The celebrant who conducts your ceremony will not be acting in an official capacity, even if they also work as a Registrar.

A celebrant is a person trained in ceremonial skills and is an employee of Fife Council.

Where can your ceremony take place?

Naming ceremonies can be considered in any venue of your choice within Fife.

Accommodation currently used by local authorities for marriage venues can also be taken into consideration when making your choice.

All venues must conform to minimum health and safety regulations.

Please ask your celebrant for further details.

How much will it cost?

Current Fees:

Monday to Friday (during office hours)

In Registrar’s Marriage Room - £125

In all other venues - £240

Evenings and Saturdays at all venues - £310

Sundays and Public Holidays at all venues - £360

For a Naming Ceremony immediately after a Civil Marriage the charge is £120

Risk Assessment:

For some venues, a risk assessment authorisation visit may be required. In addition to the above there will be an additional fee of £25.00 applied.

Cause for Thought:

Naming ceremonies are not legal ceremonies.

You choose whether you wish a ceremony for your child. They must not be confused with any part of birth registration delivered by registrars in Scotland.

These ceremonies are not a statutory requirement in any way, simply an option for parents to hold a ceremony for their child, if that is what they want.

Ceremonies and any written record of the event cannot be used for identification purposes.